Snap-on buckle for hand strap mounting

ABSTRACT

Described is a snap-on buckle. The snap-on buckle comprises a buckle configured to receive an attachment device, the buckle including at least one break away point and a snap, insert molded into the buckle, that is configured to releasably attach to a surface of a mobile terminal. In an alternate embodiment, the snap-on buckle comprises a buckle configured to receive an attachment device, the buckle including at least one break away point and an attachment means, insert molded into the buckle, that is configured to releasably attach to a surface of a mobile terminal.

BACKGROUND

Conventional buckle designs that incorporate straps for mobile terminalscreate premature wearing of the housing. The buckle, usually made ofplastic, includes a hollow cylinder to house a watch pin. The watch pinis inserted into holes on the housing. The watch pin, by design, movesrelative to the housing in which it is installed causing wear and damageover time through continuous use. The watch pin and buckle wouldsubsequently require replacement after sufficient wear and damage iscaused. In addition, the amount of damage on the buckle and/or watch pinat any given time is unknown to the user. Thus, the user is unaware ofwhen to replace the buckle and/or watch pin. The unknown wear and damagemay result in a break in the assembly that may cause damage to a user,especially around the area the mobile terminal is attached.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a snap-on buckle. The snap-on bucklecomprises a buckle configured to receive an attachment device, thebuckle including at least one break away point and a snap, insert moldedinto the buckle, that is configured to releasably attach to a surface ofa mobile terminal. In an alternate embodiment, the snap-on bucklecomprises a buckle configured to receive an attachment device, thebuckle including at least one break away point and an attachment means,insert molded into the buckle, that is configured to releasably attachto a surface of a mobile terminal.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a shows an exploded view of an outer side of a snap-on buckleaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 b shows an exploded view of an inner side of the snap-on buckleof FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 2 a shows an assembled view of the outer side of the snap-on buckleof FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 2 b shows an assembled view of the inner side of the snap-on buckleof FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a top side of a buckle of thesnap-on buckle of FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the snap-on buckle of FIG. 1 aassembled with a pin inserted in a housing of a mobile terminal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention may be further understood with reference to thefollowing description and the appended drawings, wherein like elementsare referred to with the same reference numerals. The exemplaryembodiment of the present invention describes a snap-on buckle used tostrap a mobile terminal to a user. The snap-on buckle, its constituentparts, and its attachment to the mobile terminal will be discussed indetail below.

FIG. 1 a shows an exploded view of an outer side of a snap-on buckleaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Thesnap-on buckle includes a buckle 100 and a snap 200. The buckle 100 hasa bottom side 105, a left side 110, a right side 115, and a top side120. The buckle 100 includes a hole 125, a pair of break away points130, 132, a pair of windows 135, 140, grooves 145, a middle body 150,and buckle connectors 155 (not shown, see FIG. 3). The snap 200 includesa panel 205, a hook portion 210, a curve portion 215, and snapconnectors 220. The constituent parts of the snap-on buckle will bedescribed in more detail below.

The buckle 100 is a portion of the snap-on buckle that holds anattachment device such as a strap. The strap may be any conventionalstrap used to attach a mobile terminal to an object (e.g., a user's arm,a pole, etc.). For example, the strap may be manufactured of a wovenpolyester fabric. The woven pattern may enhance gripping properties ofthe strap on the buckle 100. It should be noted that the use of a strapis only exemplary and that the buckle 100 may hold any attachment devicethat is used to hold a mobile terminal to a surface. The buckle 100 ismanufactured using a rigid plastic to retain a shape. However, it shouldbe noted that the use of a rigid plastic is only exemplary and thatother materials may be used to manufacture the buckle 100 (e.g., rubber,metal, etc.).

The buckle 100 has a substantially square shape when viewed from above.The substantially square shape includes the four sides 105-120. Thebottom side 105 and the top side 120 are substantially parallel to eachother. The left side 110 and the right side 115 are substantiallyparallel to each other. The top side 105 and the bottom side 120 aresubstantially perpendicular to the left side 110 and the right side 115.It should be noted that the parallel properties of the opposite sides ofthe buckle 100 is only exemplary. Depending on the attachment device(e.g., strap) and the surface to which the mobile terminal attaches, thebuckle 100 may exhibit any shape. For example, in anticipation of themobile terminal being strapped to a conical surface, the buckle 100 maybe designed to exhibit a trapezoidal shape with the side 105 beingsubstantially parallel to the side 120. The left side 110 may be placedon an angle (e.g., 30°, 45°) while the right side 115 remainssubstantially perpendicular to the sides 105, 120.

In the exemplary embodiment, the left side 110 and the right side 115exhibit a curvature across the length of those sides. The curvature isused in anticipation of the snap-on buckle attaching to a surface thatis curved such as a finger or wrist. However, those skilled in the artwill understand that depending on the surface to which the snap-onbuckle attaches may determine if the sides 110, 115 exhibit a curvature.For example, if the surface is a flat surface (e.g., wall, table top)then the sides 110, 115 may be straight to conform to the surface thatit attaches. It should be noted that the buckle 100 may be designed toallow a curvature with strategic bending points across the sides 110,115. These bending points will allow the buckle 100 to adjust to anyrounded surface to which it attaches.

The hole 125 exhibits a substantially rectangular shape to receive thesnap 200 located on the top side 120. The hole 125 is designed so thatthe snap 200 may be insert molded into it, thereby assembling the snap200 with the buckle 100, as shown in FIGS. 2 a-2 b. Within the hole 125includes buckle connectors 155 (not shown, see FIG. 3) to the snapconnectors 220 on the snap 200. The connectors 220 and the buckleconnectors 155 will be discussed in more detail below.

The pair of break away points 130, 132 provide a measure to preventpotential injury by preemptively breaking the buckle 100. The break awaypoints 130, 132 may be designed to break at any break away force. Thebreak away force is any force that is sufficient to cause potentialinjury. For example, the buckle 100 may automatically break when a loadof approximately 60-70 pounds is applied. If a load of approximately60-70 pounds is applied, the snap 200 may break, separating the hookportion 210 portion from the panel 205 portion. The break points 130,132 may be located on the buckle 100 beside the shorter sides of thewindow 135 (sides parallel to the left side 110 and the right side 115).In another exemplary embodiment, the break away points 130, 132 may belocated on the buckle 100 beside the shorter sides of the window 140(sides parallel to the left side 110 and the right side 115). In yetanother exemplary embodiment, the break away points 130, 132 may belocated on the edges (toward the left side 110 and the right side 115)of the middle body 150. It should be noted that the use of one pair ofbreak away points is exemplary only and the buckle 100 may have morethan two break away points strategically placed to preemptively breakwhen a threshold load is placed. For example, the buckle 100 may haveone pair of break away points beside the shorter sides of the window130, another pair of break away points beside the short sides of thewindow 140, and another pair of break away points on the edges of themiddle body 150.

As discussed above, the snap-on buckle of the present invention isintended to attach a mobile terminal to a surface. Therefore, the buckle100 includes a pair of windows 135, 140 for a strap to be inserted. Thesection of the buckle 100 in between the pair of windows 135, 140 is amiddle body 150. The strap enters one window (e.g., window 135), loopsaround the middle body 150, and exits the other window (e.g., window140). In the exemplary embodiment, the use of the pair of windows 135,140 may be further improved to hold a strap using the grooves 145. Thegrooves 145 increase a coefficient of friction when the strap isinserted into the window 135. Those skilled in the art will understandthat the use of the pair of windows 135, 140 is only exemplary and thatother attachment means are possible. For example, the strap may includeconventional attachment means such as buttons, snaps, hook and loopfasteners, etc. The buckler 100 would include a corresponding attachmentmeans.

The snap 200 is a portion of the snap-on buckle that loops into a mobileterminal. The portion of the mobile terminal that the snap 200 loopsinto will be discussed in more detail below with reference to FIG. 4. Inthe exemplary embodiment, the snap 200 is manufactured using a stampedmetal. The stamped metal is a rigid metal that may bend but ultimatelyretains its structure. It should be noted that the use of the stampedmetal is only exemplary and that the snap 200 may be manufactured usingother materials (e.g., plastics).

The panel 205 is the main body of the snap 200. The panel 205 issubstantially linear across the length of the snap 200. It should benoted that the panel 205 being linear is only exemplary. The panel 205may exhibit a curvature or a bend depending on the hole 125 that iteventually fits into. Those skilled in the art will understand that acurvature or a bend may enhance any retentive properties when the buckle100 and the snap 200 are assembled.

The hook portion 210 is formed to a side of the panel 205 opposite theside that attaches to the buckle 100. The hook portion 210 is the pieceof the snap-on buckle that directly attaches to a corresponding pin onthe mobile terminal. The hook portion 210 is designed to circumnavigatethe pin on the mobile terminal in a manner that also allows removal ofthe snap 200 from the mobile terminal if desired. In one exemplaryembodiment, the hook portion 210 exhibits a round shape that completesthree-fourths of the circumference of a circle (e.g., arc length),thereby leaving a one-fourth arc as an empty space. The arc mayoriginate from the side of the panel 205. The arc extends linearlyacross the length of the panel 205 maintaining a fixed radius. Theradius of the arc is dependent on the radius of the pin since the innersurface area of the hook portion 210 should be, for example, flushagainst the pin. It should be noted that the hook portion 210 exhibitingan arc that is three-fourths the circumference of a circle is onlyexemplary. The arc may be more or less (e.g., one half) thanthree-fourths but should be sufficient enough to loop onto the pinwithout slipping or chance of falling off. It should also be noted thatthe arc may not be flush against the surface of the pin. As describedabove, the arc need only be sufficient to prevent slipping or chances offalling off. Those skilled in the art will understand that it ispossible to design the hook portion 210 so that the radius of the arcmay be greater than the radius of the pin.

The side of the panel 205 that is insert molded into the hole 125 of thebuckle 100 includes the curve portion 215. The curve portion 215functions to snugly hold the panel 205 in the hole 125. In the exemplaryembodiment, the size of the hole 125 is greater than the inserting sideof the panel 205. Thus, the curve portion 215 increases the size of theinserting side of the panel 205 so that the snap 200 may be properlyinsert molded into the hole 125 of the buckle 100. It should be notedthat the use of a curve portion 215 is only exemplary and the snap 200may be manufactured without the curve portion 215.

On the body of the panel 205 are the snap connectors 220. The snapconnectors 220 function to lock the snap 200 upon insert molding intothe buckle 100. In the exemplary embodiment, the snap connectors 220 aretwo holes placed toward the edges (i.e., sides perpendicular to the sidewith the hook portion 210 and the curve portion 215) of the panel 205.The holes would snap into buckle connectors 155 located within the hole125 of the buckle 100.

Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary embodiment of the top side 120 of thebuckle 100 of the snap-on buckle of FIG. 1 a is shown. The hole 125 isshown to extend a majority of the length of the buckle 100. It should benoted that the hole 125 may extend the entire length of the buckle 100or a smaller length of the buckle 100. Those skilled in the art willunderstand that the size of the hole 125 need only be sufficient enoughto receive the snap 200 for insert molding without any inadvertentrotation (i.e., the snap 200 is fixed when locked into the buckle 100).The buckle connectors 155 are rounded protrusions from an inner wall ofthe hole 125. It should be noted that the use of rounded protrusions areonly exemplary. The protrusions to fit in the snap connectors 220 mayexhibit corners that fit exactly into the snap connectors 220 or may beexhibit properties of both the rounded protrusions with corners (e.g.,protrusions that extend linearly with rounded tops). In the exemplaryembodiment, the end of the curve portion 215 of the snap 200 would belocated on the side of the hole 125 opposite the side with the buckleconnectors 155, thereby placing the snap connectors 220 in directcontact with the buckle connectors 155.

It should be noted that the snap connectors 220 being holes and thebuckle connectors 155 being protrusions is only exemplary and otherlocking mechanisms may be used to insert mold the snap 200 to the buckle100. For example, the snap connectors 220 may be buttons, snaps, hookand loop fasteners, etc. The buckle connectors 155 would be acorresponding locking mechanism.

FIG. 1 b shows an exploded view of an inner side of the snap-on buckleof FIG. 1 a. FIG. 1 b shows the opposite sides of all the constituentparts shown in FIG. 1 a. A corresponding release port 130 is alsopresent on the inner side of the buckle 100. The middle body 150 of thebuckle 100 exhibits a curvature on the inner side while the outer sideof the middle body 150 exhibits a like curvature to the sides 110, 115.The curvature of the middle body 150 is steep near the top (side closerto the top side 125) and becomes gradual near the bottom (side closer tothe bottom side 105). The grooves 145 are shown to appear as smallprotrusions on the top of the middle body 150.

FIG. 2 a shows an assembled view of the outer side of the snap-on buckleof FIG. 1 a. The assembled view shows that a majority of the panel 205has been inserted into the hole 125. The snap connectors 220 are fullywithin the hole 125 to attach to the corresponding buckle connectors155. Since a majority of the panel 205 is inserted, a small portion (topside) is still present in the assembled view of FIG. 2 a. All featuresof the buckle 100 remain the same as the exploded views of FIGS. 1 a-b.

FIG. 2 b shows an assembled view of the inner side of the snap-on buckleof FIG. 1 a. FIG. 2 b shows the opposite sides of all the constituentparts shown in FIG. 2 a. The middle body 150 of the buckle 100 stillexhibits the curvature on the inner side. The grooves 145 are stillshown to appear as small protrusions on the top of the middle body 150.

It should be noted that the exemplary embodiments including the buckleportion 100 and the snap portion 200 is only exemplary. Those skilled inthe art will understand that the snap-on buckle may be manufactured asone unit so that the buckle 100 and the snap 200 do not requireassembly.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the snap-on buckle of FIG. 1 aassembled with a pin 300 inserted in a housing of a mobile terminal. Inaddition to a new buckle design, the present invention incorporates thepin 300 used as a holding site for the snap-on buckle. The pin 300 is acylinder that is fixed in the mobile terminal. It should be noted thatthe cylinder may be solid or hollow depending on the material used tomanufacture the pin 300. For example, if the pin 300 is manufacturedusing a hard metal (e.g., iron, stainless steel), then the pin 300 maybe hollow. If the pin 300 is manufactured using a rigid plastic, thenthe pin 300 may be solid. The mobile terminal may include an insertionport 305 where the pin 300 is installed in the mobile terminal. Itshould be noted that the use of the insertion port 305 is onlyexemplary. Those skilled in the art will understand that the pin 300 maybe placed within a housing of the mobile terminal. It should also benoted that the pin 300 may be part of the housing and is one unit withthe housing (i.e., the pin 300 is integrally molded within the housingof the mobile terminal).

In the exemplary embodiment, the pin 300 is fixed. That is, the pin 300,though round, does not rotate or move relative to the housing that it isinstalled. This prevents wear and damage over time through continuoususe. For the snap-on buckle to adjust to the surface to which itattaches, the arc of the hook portion 210 on the snap 200 provides therotational properties necessary. The pin 300 may be fixed by maintaininga rounded cylindrical shape on the surface area where the snap 200 is toconnect, but the ends may be a different shape. For example, the ends ofthe pin 300 may be squares that are inserted into square holes in themobile terminal.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications may be made in the present invention, without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that thepresent invention cover the modifications and variations of thisinvention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims andtheir equivalents.

1. A snap-on buckle, comprising: a buckle configured to receive anattachment device, the buckle including at least one break away point;and a snap, insert molded into the buckle, that is configured toreleasably attach to a surface of a mobile terminal.
 2. The snap-onbuckle of claim 1, wherein the attachment device is a strap.
 3. Thesnap-on buckle of claim 1, wherein the at least one break away point isactivated when an impermissible load is attached to the snap-on buckle.4. The snap-on buckle of claim 3, wherein the impermissible load is atleast 60 pounds.
 5. The snap-on buckle of claim 1, wherein the buckle ismanufactured using one of a rigid plastic and metal.
 6. The snap-onbuckle of claim 1, wherein the snap is manufactured using one of astamped metal and plastic.
 7. The snap-on buckle of claim 1, wherein thesurface of the mobile terminal is a pin.
 8. The snap-on buckle of claim7, wherein the snap further comprises: a hook portion circumnavigatingthe pin, thereby rotating around the pin.
 9. The snap-on buckle of claim8, wherein the hook portion circumnavigates the pin at least one half acircumference of the pin.
 10. The snap-on buckle of claim 7, wherein thepin is fixed on the mobile terminal, thereby preventing a rotation andmovement of the pin with respect to the mobile terminal.
 11. The snap-onbuckle of claim 1, wherein, when the attachment device is received, theat least one break away point includes a pair of break away pointslocated near the attachment device.
 12. A snap-on buckle, comprising: abuckle configured to receive an attachment device, the buckle includingat least one break away point; and an attachment means, insert moldedinto the buckle, that is configured to releasably attach to a surface ofa mobile terminal.
 13. The snap-on buckle of claim 12, wherein theattachment device is a strap.
 14. The snap-on buckle of claim 12,wherein the buckle is manufactured using one of a rigid plastic andmetal.
 15. The snap-on buckle of claim 12, wherein the attachment meansis manufactured using one of a stamped metal and plastic.
 16. Thesnap-on buckle of claim 12, wherein the surface of the mobile terminalis a pin.
 17. The snap-on buckle of claim 16, wherein the attachmentmeans further comprises: a hooking means circumnavigating the pin,thereby rotating around the pin.
 18. The snap-on buckle of claim 17,wherein the hooking means circumnavigates the pin at least one half acircumference of the pin.
 19. The snap-on buckle of claim 16, whereinthe pin is fixed on the mobile terminal, thereby preventing a rotationand movement of the pin with respect to the mobile terminal.
 20. Thesnap-on buckle of claim 12, wherein, when the attachment device isreceived, the at least one break away point includes a pair of breakaway points located near the attachment device.